Wave-power accumulator.



Patented May 29, I900.

R. S. LAWRENCE.

WAVE POWER AGGUMULATOR.

(Application filed J'dly 28, 189911 3 Sheets-Sheet (No Model.)

awuewtoz fieri L aw 7'6 R. S. LAWRENCE.

Paten ted May 29, I900,

WAVE POWER ACCUNIULATOR.

(Application filed July 28, 1899.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2,

atto'nweqs No. 650,469. Patented May 29, I900.

n. s. LAWRENCE. WAVE POWER ACGUMULATOR.

(Application fl1ed Ju1y 28. 1899.)

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-$heet 3.

7 V UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT S. LAYVRENCE, OF lVASI-IINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

WAVE-POWER AQCU M U LATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent 1\To. 650,469,- datd May29, 1900-.

Application filed July 28, 1899. Serial N. 726,398. (No model.)

To (tZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, ROBERT S. LAWRENCE,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, in the Districtof Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inWVave-Power Accumulators or Motors, of which the following is aspecification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to Wave-power accumulators or motors, and the broadidea involved in the invention is to utilize the motion of the waves ofthe ocean to operate a pump of novel construction. I

It has been proposed heretofore to employ apparatus upon the surface ofthe water to rise and fall with the waves, the motion thus producedbeing utilized for the operation of pumps ormotors. Such apparatus,however, is objectionable mainly for the reason that a storm or anunusually high tide quickly renders it inoperative or destroys itentirely.

An important characteristic of my invention is that it is designed to beentirely submerged to a depth sufficient to prevent damage from stormsand high tides and to be operated directly by the horizontal forceof thewaves.

I employ a force-pump of the construction hereinafter fully described,inconnection with a water-tank located on land and elevated a considerabledistance above the beach, connected with the pump by pipes.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification,Figure 1 is a side elevation of an apparatus embodying the invention.Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the pump. Fig. 3 is an end elevationof the pump, and Fig. 4 is a transverse section showing the inner sideof the inner end of the outer head of the outer pump-cylinder.

Before describing the construction of the pump it may be premised thatit is designed to employ a number of the pumps in groups or batteriesemptying into one or more tanks; but inasmuch as they will all be'of thesame construction a description of one will suffice.

The pump consists of two centric cylinders, designated in the drawingsby the referencenumerals 1 and 2, respectively, and preferably made ofcopper or other metal which will withstand the action of sea-water, orthe cylinders may be of .wood with metallic linings or casings 3, asshown in the drawings. The outer cylinder 1 constitutes the watercontaining chamber of the pump, while the inner cylinder 2 operates as apiston to force the water out of the cylinder 1. The cylinder 1 is openat one end, while its opposite end is closed by a head 4, formed with aplurality of water-inlets 5. These openings 5 are provided on the innerside of the head with flap-valves 6, hinged at their upper ends andcapable of opening inwardly only. The head 4 is also formed with adischarge-opening 7, to which is attached one end of a waterpipe 8,leading to an elevated tank 9, into which the upper downwardly-turnedend of the pipe 8 empties. A second pipe 11 leads from the tank 9 to asmall opening 12 in the head 4, said pipe being of much less diameterthan the pipe 8 and designed for a purpose hereinafter explained. Theinner cylinder 2 is closed at both ends by heads 13 and 14 and is guidedin its movement by a plurality of telescoping tubes 15 and 16. The tubes15 are secured at one end in suitable openings formed in the head 4,while the cooperating tubes 16 are secured to the outer head 14 of thecylinder 2. As clearly illustrated in Fig. 2, the tubes 16 fit looselywithin the outer tubes 15 to have a sliding telescopic motion. The twocylinders are also connected by a series of equidistant guide-rods 17,which are secured to the head 4, outside of the cylinder 1, and passloosely through opening 18, formed in the head 14. The outer ends ofthese rods are connected by a ring 19, as shown in Fig. 1. The outercylinder 1 is supported upon transverse bars or supports 20,constituting part of a protecting pile structure or breakwater 21, whichincloses the pump, and said cylinder 1 is thus held stationary.

The operation of the apparatus may be described as follows: As a waverecedes the flap-valves 6 are opened, allowing the cylinder 1 to fillwith water. The pressure of the water against the head 13 of the innercylinder 2 forces the latter outwardly. The next incoming wave thenstrikes the outer side of the head 14, forcing the cylinder 2 inward,and thus ejecting the water in the cylinder 1 out through the pipe 8 andelevating it to the 5, caused by a receding wave, will suiiice to,

move the cylinder 2 outward, I have provided the pipe 11 as asupplemental means for this A small stream of water falls 15 purpose.

through this pipe 11 to give the initial impetus or force against thehead 13.

It will of course be understood that the water collected in the tank 10by the pumping apparatus will be utilized by turbine waterwheels orother mechanism to run dynamos or other machinery, the specific meansfor this purpose not constituting a part of the present invention.

I claim- 1. Awave-motor comprisinga cylinder, piston and automaticvalves controlling the ingress of Water to move the piston and adelivery-pipe leading from the cylinder.

2. A wave-motor comprisinga piston, a cylinder having an opening at oneend for the admission of water to drive the piston, and means forimparting an initial impetus to the piston.

, 3. A wave-motor comprising a piston, a cylinder having an opening atone end for the admission of water to reciprocate the piston, and 'meansfor injecting water into the cylinder as supplemental piston-actuatingmeans.

4.. A wave-motor comprising a cylinder, a piston, means for leadingwater from the piston, and means for returning a portion of the waterto'the cylinder to impart an initial impetus to the piston.

5. A wave motor comprising a cylinder having .valvecontrolled openings,a deliverypipe, a reservoir, a return-pipe leading from the reservoir tothe cylinder and a piston within the cylinder.

6. A wave-motor comprisinga piston, a cylinder having an opening at oneend for the ingress of water, an elevated, reservoir and a pipe leadingfrom the reservoir to the cylinder for the injection of water underpressure to impart an initial impetus to the piston.

7. A wave-power accumulator comprising two concentric cylinders arrangedone within the other, the outer cylinder being open at one end, andprovided at its opposite end with Water-inlets; automatic valves forclosing said inlets; a delivery pipe leading from the outer cylinder toa water-tank and means for guiding the'inner cylinder in its movement.

8. The combination with a fixed cylinder open at one end and provided atits closed end with water-inlets; ot' a delivery-pipe and areceiving-tank; automatic valves for closing the water-inlets; a movablecylinder arranged within the fixed cylinder and closed at bothends; andmeans for guiding the movable cylinder in its movement.

9. The combination with a fixed cylinder open at its outer end andprovided at its closed end with water-inlets; of a delivery-pipe and areceiving-tank; automatic valves for closing the water-inlets, a movablecylinder arranged within the fixed cylinder, and a series of telescopingtubes for guiding the movable cylinder.

10. The combination with a fixed cylinder openat one end, and formed atits closed end with valved water-inlets, a discharge-opening, and asupplemental water-inlet, of a movable cylinder closed' at both ends andar ranged within the fixed cylinder; longitudinal guides for saidmovable cylinder; a receiving-tank elevated above the cylinders; a waterdischarge pipe, connect-ing the discharge-opening of the fixed cylinderwith the tank; and aretnrn-pipe connecting the tank with thesupplemental inlet of the fixed'cylinder.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT S. LAWRENCE.

Witnesses:

HENRY E. COOPER, R. W. F. OGILVIE.

